Michael Houtz

Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal CAPTAIN J.F. Gibson. Commanding Officer, NSA Souda Bay Crete, Greece Mar 2013 Professional achievement as Support Equipment detachment Leading Petty Officer, U.S. Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, Crete, Greece from June to November 2012. Petty Officer Houtz's unfailing dedication to high quality maintenance was instrumental in maintaining a remarkable 90 Percent Ready For Issue Support Equipment Rate which directly contributed to the safe and expeditious movement of 1,706 U.S. and Allied aircraft and 2,100 tons of cargo. During a Quality Assurance Quarterly Inspection… Show more Professional achievement as Support Equipment detachment Leading Petty Officer, U.S. Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, Crete, Greece from June to November 2012. Petty Officer Houtz's unfailing dedication to high quality maintenance was instrumental in maintaining a remarkable 90 Percent Ready For Issue Support Equipment Rate which directly contributed to the safe and expeditious movement of 1,706 U.S. and Allied aircraft and 2,100 tons of cargo. During a Quality Assurance Quarterly Inspection of 10 Support Equipment Programs, his work center was given a grade of "ON TRACK". Petty Officer Houtz's personal initiative and unswerving devotion to duty reflected credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Navy. Show less

CITATION Rear Admiral R.P. Girrier. Commander, Carrier Strike Group ELEVEN May 2010 For outstanding performance of duty as Support Equipment Technician, Ground Support Equipment Division, Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department, USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) from June 2007 to May 2010. Petty Officer Houtz performed his duties in an exemplary and highly professional manner. His ingenuity and exceptional technical abilities were instrumental in the completion of 143 maintenance actions and the repair of 117 critical items of flight deck support equipment which resulted in a 98… Show more For outstanding performance of duty as Support Equipment Technician, Ground Support Equipment Division, Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department, USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) from June 2007 to May 2010. Petty Officer Houtz performed his duties in an exemplary and highly professional manner. His ingenuity and exceptional technical abilities were instrumental in the completion of 143 maintenance actions and the repair of 117 critical items of flight deck support equipment which resulted in a 98 percent support equipment availability rate during combat operations in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Additionally, he was instrumental in the identification, isolation, and timely repair of a complex electro-mechanical fault in the motor drive cabinet of the Aircraft Crash and Salvage Crane. His efforts returned the unit to full mission status without disruption to Strike Group Operations. His superlative efforts measurably contributed to NIMITZ and Carrier Air Wing ELEVEN'S successful Western Pacific/Arabian Sea Deployment. Petty Officer Houtz' professionalism, initiative and loyal devotion to duty reflected credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. Show less

CITATION Rear Admiral J.W. Miller, Cammander, Carrier Strike Group ELEVEN Mar 2009 For outstanding performance of duty as Damage Control Petty Officer, IM-5 Division, Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department, USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) from February to March 2009. Petty Officer Houtz performed his duties in an exemplary and highly professional manner. Demonstrating relentless work ethic and exceptional skill, he was vital in the completion of more than 600 corrective maintenance action during the Tailored Ship's Training Assessment. Additionally, he was instrumental in the… Show more For outstanding performance of duty as Damage Control Petty Officer, IM-5 Division, Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department, USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) from February to March 2009. Petty Officer Houtz performed his duties in an exemplary and highly professional manner. Demonstrating relentless work ethic and exceptional skill, he was vital in the completion of more than 600 corrective maintenance action during the Tailored Ship's Training Assessment. Additionally, he was instrumental in the successful completion of more than 100 preventative maintenance actions throughout the ship and in support of the Damage Control Team in transforming the ship from an industrial environment to an operational fighting unit at sea. His dedication and hard work directly contributed to the successful completion of NIMITZ' Final Evaluation Problem 2009. Petty Officer Houtz' professionalism, initiative and loyal devotion to duty reflected credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. Show less